Another Conservative has joined the race to become the Isle of Wight's second MP.

Joe Robertson is currently leader of the Conservative Group at the Isle of Wight Council and he wants to represent East Wight from the next general election.

  • The Isle of Wight is expected to be split into two areas, as part of a national plan to make constituencies more even. A final decision is due at Westminster before July 1.
  • A general election must take place before January 2025, no later than five years after the current parliament first met, with Boris Johnson as Prime Minister. 

The Conservative party must pick its preferred candidate before that person can go on to try to represent an area likely to include Sandown, Ryde, Bembridge and Shanklin.

In 2019, Cllr Robertson stood for Erith and Thamesmead, in south London, helping his party gain four percentage points to finish second to Labour's Abena Oppong-Asare (19,882 votes to 16,124 votes).

In November 2021, he succeeded former Island councillor Steve Hastings as head of County Hall's Conservative members.

Cllr Robertson said: "It is a huge honour to represent residents and campaign about the things that matter most to Islanders, like affordable housing, local NHS funding and regeneration of our towns.

"It would be an even greater honour to have the opportunity to champion the East Wight in Parliament and build on the work I have already started at the Isle of Wight Council."

Cllr Robertson is an in-house adviser to a national dementia charity.

He previously worked as a family and children lawyer.

He has served as a governor of two Isle of Wight primary schools, as a local trustee of Citizens Advice and as President of the Island branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Among those backing his campaign to become the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the East Wight are former Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for business and regeneration, Wayne Whittle and Chris Quirk, Mayor of Shanklin.

In December, fellow Conservative Harriet Hadfield, a former journalist, announced her plans to try to win the candidacy for the East Wight.

Meanwhile, Isle of Wight MP, Bob Seely, intends to stand for the Conservative party in the West Wight constituency, which will also likely incorporate East Cowes and Newport.

Mr Whittle said: "Joe is a local boy. He grew up on the Island and knows what makes the East Wight tick because he is one of us.

"He would be a serious and hardworking MP in Parliament, speaking up for residents and local businesses.

"The next election will be the toughest in a generation and without Joe standing, the Conservatives may struggle to win."

Cllr Robertson also says he has the backing for former Government minister, Lord Brabazon of Tara and dementia campaigner, Lady Grylls.